Into Eternal Bliss
BY ADRIANA GAYHEART
As I look around at the world around me, from my li le wooden rocking
chair, on my distressed wooden porch, the view is breathtaking. The green grass
sways as the melancholy wind brushes its blades; birds mingle and make pa erns
with their flights; and clouds huddle together, telling the secrets of the universe.
I hear the laughter of children far off in the distance; the clanking of my windmill
ge ng rusty, as everything does with old age; and the sound of my porch creak‐
ing as I rock my rocker back and forth on its unsteady surface. The smell of fresh
morning dew fills my nostrils, as well as the residual bacon smell of breakfast,
and faint smell of chicken scratch from my barn in the distance. My fleece coat
feels warm against my pale, wrinkled skin; my fuzzy slippers so against my cal‐
loused feet. I thumb the worn pages of my Bible slowly, taking in all that is
wri en.
My daughter and hers are inside, s ll sleeping as I am an early riser.
They've moved here to take care of me in my old years. I'm thankful for the com‐
pany. However, I'm also thankful for my alone moments such as this one, with no
one around but my loyal hound, Scruffy. Even he is ge ng s ff and lazy in his old
years. They don't know it yet, but my daughter and granddaughter won't be ed
here for much longer. Today is my last day on this beau ful earth. I'm ready
though. I've lived a long life full of smiles and laughter, heartbreak and obstacles.
I think back to what I would change if I could do it all over again. The answer is
nothing. I wouldn't change a single thing. I have my daughter, who is as beau ‐
ful and loving as her mother once was. My granddaughter, in her youth, looking
more and more like my late wife everyday. My life has been fulfilled, it's me for
me to be with the good Lord. Be with my wife once again, my parents, my sib‐
lings..
I breathe in my last breath of life, glorious and sweet. I see my beau ful
wife, beckoning me to her. She's been wai ng for me. I follow her, into my eter‐
nal bliss.
20